The coastal town of Punta del Hidalgo, in La Laguna, lives one of its big days tomorrow with the celebration of its popular boat of the Virgen del Carmen, which this year, for the first time, takes place on a Saturday and not Sunday as usual, due to the coincidence of that day with the general elections.
This was confirmed by the sacristan of Punta del Hidalgo, Juan Díaz, who explained that this year the time of the acts is also brought forward a little, since a decree of the Coasts requires that “all pleasure boats have to be on land before dark, at the latest, at 9:00 p.m. “. So this year the mass will begin tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the square recently dedicated to Olga Ramos, where the chapel of the holy image is located, and from there it will depart in procession to the port of Punta, where it is expected to be embarking around 7:00 p.m., he said.
Once there, “when the Virgin is already in the water, she is taken to the Roquete area, where the parish priest prays a response for all those who died at sea, there are praises and the act concludes with the Hail Mary of Chago Melián,” he added.
Another novelty this year, he pointed out, is that the maritime procession of the holy image will reach Jóver, which will cover the entire coastline of Punta del Hidalgo, as well as Bajamar and Tejina.
Once back in the port of Punta, the fireworks of the coast will be launched and the virgin will return in procession to her chapel, for another route, where the fireworks display will take place. The day will end with a verbena, at 11:00 p.m., enlivened by the Timbara Orchestra and, later, the Rikabanda Orchestra.
The Virgen del Carmen boat in La Punta is the best known and most popular on the entire lagoon coast, and last year it had the participation of more than 3,000 people. “Last year it was a source of pride to be able to appreciate first-hand how the boat resumed all its splendor, the limitations derived from the pandemic now being overcome, and we were able to share great family moments with the lagoons”, highlighted the mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez.
For his part, the Councilor for Fiestas, Dailos González, stressed that “this boat from Punta del Hidalgo is one of the most important in Tenerife due to its links with the fishing population and the expectation it generates every year in a privileged setting on the island.”
The mayor encouraged the citizens of La Laguna to enjoy the numerous events that have been programmed and thanked the enormous work carried out by the Fiestas Commission in organizing this event.
Program of events
Thus, the program of activities for the festivities in honor of the Virgen del Carmen provides for today, starting at 8:30 p.m., concerts by María al Revés, Eclipse Reggae and the group Not a fool’s hair.
Next week, on Monday, a tribute to Juan Luis Guerra will be offered by the La Sabrosa Orchestra (3:00 p.m.), and then there will be The Boy Machine and Elicio’s music and animation. The next day, starting at 5:30 p.m., a children’s festival will take place with performances by Güicho, Mario Falero ‘El Niño de la Voz Kid from Antena 3’ and the magician Sergio Dion, presented by Joel Arias and Erik Hernández.
The musical icing on the cake will arrive on Friday, at 9:00 p.m., with Santi Díaz and Paulina Di Mundo, and on Saturday at 11:00 p.m., thanks to the Dinacord Orchestra.
